Twelve tips for choosing and surviving a PhD in medical education – a student perspective

Abstract

The decision to undertake a PhD in medical education could mark a critical point in defining your future career. Attaining the highest level of degree in such a diverse and rewarding area as medical education may not only provide you with an opportunity to undertake important new research, but could also unlock different job opportunities. As is often the case, such rewards are not gained lightly. There can be real challenges in making the decision to undertake and then to successfully navigate a PhD. The specific subject and process of each doctorate is unique, leaving many prospective and current students uncertain as to what to expect. We offer our twelve tips from the perspective of two current PhD students to help guide those who share our interest in medical education and are considering doctoral study.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank our supervisors Prof. John Sandars and Prof. Deborah Murdoch-Eaton for providing valuable advice and feedback on our subsequent drafts throughout the writing process.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Notes on contributors

Billy Bryan, BSc, is a final year PhD student studying how new feedback techniques in teaching can improve medical students’ self-regulated learning.

Helen R. Church, MBChB MRCA, is a second year PhD student studying how the application of sports psychology techniques within a model of metacognition may enhance junior doctors’ management of acutely unwell patients.